News

Our U19 side commenced their 2021/22 European Championship campaign with a three two victory over Montenegro in Bulgaria this afternoon. Ireland were in total command throughout the regulation 90 minutes and two goals from QPR striker Sinclair Armstrong, who is currently on loan at Torquay United, and another from the ‘Riverstown Red’ Johnny Kenny of Sligo Rovers gave Ireland a comfortable lead with some 15 minutes remaining. There came quite a jolt in added time with an own goal swiftly followed by a second for Montenegro, however Ireland rode out the mini-storm to collect the three points.

In the other Group 6 contest, Bosnia & Herzegovina defeated mini-tournament hosts Bulgaria by two goals to nil.  The hosts did have a player dismissed shortly before the half-time interval.

Team: Dan Rose; James Abankwah, Bosun Lawal (C), Anselmo Garcia MacNulty, Tayo Adaramola; Jack Henry-Francis, Ed McJannet; Johnny Kenny, Evan Caffrey, Andrew Moran; Sinclair Armstrong
Substitutes:
Aidomo Emakhu for Caffrey 72′
Sam Curtis for MacNally 86′
Kian Corbally for Henry-Francis 86′
Kevin Zefi for Armstrong 87′
David Okagbue for Abankwah 90’+2′

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Republic of Ireland U19 Head Coach Tom Mohan has named  his 20 player squad for  the 2021/22 UEFA Championship qualifying Group 6 in Bulgaria between the 10th and 16th November 2021.

Fixtures
Wednesday 10 November:
Republic of Ireland 3-2 Montenegro 12.30pm
Bulgaria 0-2 Bosnia & Herzegovina   12.30pm
Saturday 13 November:
Republic of Ireland v Bosnia & Herzegovina  12.30pm
Bulgaria v Montenegro  12.30pm
Tuesday 16 November: 
Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria 12.30pm
Bosnia & Herzegovina v Montenegro  12.30pm

Squad

Goalkeepers: Arlo Doherty (Leicester City), Dan Rose (Schalke 04)

Defenders: James Abankwah (St Patrick’s Athletic), Tayo Adaramola (Crystal Palace), Val Adedokun (Brentford), Sam Curtis (St Patrick’s Athletic), Anselmo Garcia McNulty (Wolfsburg), David Okaghue (Stoke City), Sean Roughan (Lincoln City)

Midfielders: Evan Caffrey (UCD), Kian Corbally (St Patrick’s Athletic), Jack Henry-Francis (Arsenal),  Bosun Lawal (Glasgow Celtic),  Ed McJannett (Luton Town)

Forwards: Sinclair Armstrong (QPR on loan at Torquay United), Aidomo Emakhu (Shamrock Rovers), Cian Hayes (Fleetwood Town), Johnny Kenny (Sligo Rovers), Andrew Moran (Brighton & Hove Albion), Kevin Zefi (Inter Milan) 

 

Sunday
Goodison Park hosted the Premier League meeting of Everton, who included Seamus Coleman in their starting eleven, and Tottenham Hotspur, for whom Matt Doherty was a 71st minute substitute, as the sides played out a scoreless draw. In the late kick-off West Ham United defeated visitors Liverpool, who included Caoimhin Kelleher on their substitute bench, by three goals to two.

There was a noon kick-off  for the Scottish Premiership meeting of Dundee and Glasgow Celtic which the visitors won by four goals to two. James McCarthy and Liam Scales were unused substitutes for the victors.

In the Belgian First Division, Royal Antwerp defeated visitors RSC Anderlecht by two goals to nil. Josh Cullen was in midfield action for the defeated side. 

The Dutch Eredivisie saw Fortuna Sittard go down to a four one defeat by visitors PSV Eindhoven early this Sunday afternoon. Ryan Johansson started for the hosts but was withdrawn on 58 minutes, 

There was a 2pm kick-off for the Swedish Allsvenskan meeting of AIK Solna and visitors Ostersunds FK which the hosts won by three goals to nil. The second goal was a stunning 25 yard strike by Zac Elbouzedi, his first goal for the club. 

Saturday
The Premier League featured promoted duo Brentford and Norwich City in action at the ‘Bees’ new Stadium this afternoon where the visiting ‘Canaries’ secured their first win of the season with a two one success. Andrew Omobamidele was in defence for the victors while Adam Idah was introduced for the final three minutes of the contest. Chelsea welcomed  Burnley to Stamford Bridge where the visiting ‘Clarets’ came from behind to secure an unexpected point from a one all draw. Nathan Collins and Kevin Long were unused substitutes  for Burnley. The late kick-off saw Brighton & Hove Albion, with Shane Duffy in central defence, playing out a one all draw with visitors Newcastle United who included Ciaran Clark in their starting eleven at the AMEX Stadium

In the Scottish Premiership, St Johnstone played out a scoreless draw with visitors St Mirren who included Jamie McGrath and Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Connor Ronan in their starting eleven.

The Championship saw Blackburn Rovers and Darragh Lenihan come from behind the defeat visitors Sheffield United by three goals to one at Ewood Park. John Egan and Enda Stevens started for the ‘Blades’ while Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane was an unused substitute. AFC Bournemouth included Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny in their side for their four nil victory over visitors Swansea City who included Ryan Manning  in their side. Robbie Brady was an unused  substitute for the victorious ‘Cherries’. Struggling Cardiff City included Mark McGuinness in their starting eleven as they came from behind to defeat visitors Huddersfield Town by two goals to one and secure their first victory in ten matches.  The Den hosted the meeting of Millwall and Derby County which ended in a one all draw with Jason Knight and Festy Ebosele starting for the ‘Rams’ and Ebosele scoring their goal, his first in the Championship. Peterborough United included Jack Taylor and Sam Szmodics in their side as they went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Fulham. Ireland U21 captain Conor Coventry, on loan from West Ham United, was an unused substitute for the hosts. West Bromwich Albion named Callum Robinson and Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby in their starting eleven for their one all draw with visitors Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns, with Robinson withdrawn at half-time. 

The first round proper in the 2022 FA Cup commenced this weekend with Hartlepool United playing out a two all draw with visitors Wycombe Wanderers and Daryl Horgan. MK Dons included Troy Parrott in their starting eleven as they were held to a two all draw by visiting neighbours Stevenage. League One Portsmouth, with Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu in goal, scored  the only goal to defeat non-league Harrow Borough. League One Rotherham United named Chiedoze Ogbene in their starting eleven but he was withdrawn through injury on 53 minutes while Joshua Kayode entered the fray on 60 minutes of their three nil victory over visitors Bromley. Wigan Athletic included Will Keane in their starting eleven while James McClean was an unused substitute as they were held to a scoreless draw by visiting  non-league side Solihull Motors  

 

There were three fixtures played this Friday evening in the Airtricity League Premier Division. Second place St Patrick’s Athletic went down to a three nil defeat by third place Sligo Rovers in Richmond Park which guaranteed the visitors participation in the Europa Conference next year. Finn Harps played out a one all draw with visitors Derry City while Waterford went down to a three one defeat by Shamrock Rovers in the RSC.

The remaining two Series 34 fixtures took place on Sunday afternoon with Bohemian defeating Drogheda United by two goals to one in Dalymount Park while Dundalk overcame relegated Longford Town by two goals to nil in Oriel Park.

With the top three League places already defined, the battle for the fourth European Qualification place is still very much in the balance. Bohemian can secure that prize with victory over St Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI Cup Final. Should the ‘Gipsies’ lose that Aviva Stadium contest then the position will go to the side finishing fourth in the Premier League. They themselves currently hold that position on goal difference from Derry City and Dundalk who have played one extra match. Bohemian play host to Champions Shamrock Rovers on Friday evening while Derry City welcome third place Sligo Rovers to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. In the final series of matches one week later, Bohemian travel to face Sligo Rovers while Derry City journey to Dundalk..

                            P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Shamrock Rovers(Champions) 34 23  6  5  56 24   32   75
St Patrick’s Athletic      34 18  6 10  54 40   14   60
Sligo Rovers               34 16  8 10  42 29   13   56
Bohemian                   34 13  9 12  56 44   12   48
Derry City                 34 12 12 10  45 41    4   48
Dundalk                    35 13  9 13  43 44   -1   48
Drogheda United            35 12  8 15  44 41    3   44
Finn Harps                 34 10 10 14  37 50  -13   40
Waterford                  34 12  4 18  34 54  -20   40
Longford Town(R)           34  2  8 24  21 65  -44   14

The first legs in the First Division Play-Off Semi-Finals took place on Wednesday the 3rd November with Bray Wanderers playing out a scoreless draw with Galway United in the Carlisle Grounds while Treaty United went down to a three nil defeat by visitors UCD in the Markets Field.

The second legs took place on Sunday the 7th November with Bray Wanderers defeating Galway United with the only goal in Eamonn Deacy Park to qualify for the First Division play-off final while Treaty United defeated UCD by two goals to one in The Bowl but it was not enough as the ‘Students’ progressed to the play-off final on a four two aggregate.

The First Division Play-Off Final is set for the 19th November with the victors facing the side finishing 9th in the Premier Division in the Promotion/Relegation Final one week later.

Manager Stephen Kenny has announced his 26 man Republic of Ireland squad for the two remaining World Cup 2022 qualifiers against Portugal and Luxembourg. Captain Seamus Coleman has returned following his injury absence from the last squad and he is joined  by Alan Browne and Jayson Molumby who missed the previous window through suspension. Aaron Connolly and Harry Arter have been omitted as are Cyrus Christie and Liam Scales who were late additions to the previous squad.

There is a late amendment with Callum O’Dowda linking up with the squad as the replacement for the injured James Collins. 

Squad

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Manchester City-on loan at Portsmouth), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), 

Defenders:  Seamus Coleman (Everton), Nathan Collins (Burnley), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United)

Midfielders: Alan Browne (Preston North End), Josh Cullen (RSC Anderlecht),  Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa-on loan at Sheffield United), Jason Knight (Derby County), Jamie McGrath (St Mirren), Jayson Molumby (Brighton & Hove Albion on loan at West Bromwich Albion)

Forwards: James Collins (Cardiff City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers),  Adam Idah (Norwich City), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Chiedoze Ogbene (Rotherham United), Troy Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur-on loan at MK Dons), Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City)

 

 

 

Republic of Ireland U21 Head Coach Jim Crawford has announced  his 25 man squad for the upcoming European U21 Championship qualifying contests against Italy and Sweden.

Friday    12 November     RoI v Italy          17.30 Tallaght Stadium [Live RTE 2]
Tuesday 16 November     RoI v Sweden    17.30  Tallaght Stadium [Live RTE 2]

 Squad 

Goalkeepers: Brian Maher (Bray Wanderers), Luke McNicholas (Sligo Rovers on loan at Cliftonville), David Odumosu (Drogheda United)

Defenders: Joel Bagan (Cardiff City), Festy Ebosele (Derby County), Andy Lyons (Bohemian), Oisin McEntee (Newcastle United-on loan at Greenock Morton), Mark McGuinness (Cardiff City), Jake O’Brien (Crystal Palace), Lee O’Connor (Glasgow Celtic-on loan at Tranmere Rovers)

Midfielders: Conor Coventry (West Ham United-on loan at Peterborough United), Dawson Devoy (Bohemian), Ryan Johansson (Seville-on loan at Fortuna Sittard),  Gavin Kilkenny (AFC Bournemouth), Conor Noss (Borussia Monchengladbach), Oliver O’Neill (Fulham), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Ross Tierney (Bohemian), William Hondermarck (Barnsley)

Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Will Ferry (Southampton-on loan at Crawley Town), Joshua Kayode (Rotherham United), Liam Kerrigan (UCD), Armstrong Oko-Flex (West Ham United), Colm Whelan (UCD), Tyreik Wright (Aston Villa-on loan at Salford City)

 

 

 

 

 

Friday
Improving Southampton were in Premier League action on Friday evening when Aston Villa visited St Marys Stadium. Shane Long was an unused  substitute for the ‘Saints’ whose third minute goal proved to be the winner. 

Thursday
The Europa League resumed on Thursday evening with Ferencvaros of Hungary welcoming Glasgow Celtic to Budapest in the reverse of the fixture which the hosts won in Celtic Park two weeks ago. The Glasgow side kept their hopes of progress alive with a three two victory. Liam Scales was again a late substitute entering the fray in the 89th minute while James McCarthy. who returned to the squad for last Saturday’s draw with Livingston, was introduced from the bench on 78 minutes. 

Misfiring Tottenham Hotspur, with new manager Antonio Conte at the helm, were in Europa Conference action with Dutch side Vitesse the visitors to their London Stadium in the reverse fixture from two weeks ago which Spurs lost to the only goal. The hosts started brightly and raced into the three goal lead but in a contest of high passion poor defending saw them twice before the half-time break. The second period remained scoreless but saw three dismissals with the hosts first reduced to ten before the visitors saw two players dismissed in the closing stages. Matt Doherty was an unused substitute for the hosts.

Wednesday
There was further Championship action this Wednesday evening with Barnsley defeating visitors Derby County by two goals to one. The ‘Rams’ included  Jason Knight in their starting eleven with Festy Ebosele 68th minute substitute. Current leaders AFC Bournemouth included Mark Travers in their starting eleven with Gavin Kilkenny and Robbie Brady unused on their substitute bench as they suffered  a surprise home defeat by visitors Preston North End who included Alan Browne and Sean Maguire in their starting eleven with Greg Cunningham  unused on their substitute bench. Cardiff City included Mark McGuinness in their starting eleven for their one nil defeat by visitors QPR who had Jimmy Dunne in central defence. Third place West Bromwich Albion included Callum Robinson in their starting eleven and he provided  the assist for the only goal to defeat visitors Hull City while Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby was unused on their substitute bench.

Tuesday
The Championship continued on Tuesday evening with Birmingham City and Scott Hogan, who scored in Saturday’s victory at Middlesbrough, defeating visitors  Bristol City by three goals to nil with Hogan again on the scoresheet. Callum O’Dowda  was an unused substitute for the defeated ‘Robins’. High flying Coventry City went down to a two one defeat by visitors Swansea City who included Ryan Manning in their starting eleven with Michael Obafemi introduced from the bench on 62 minutes.  Improving Nottingham Forest were held to a one all draw by visitors Sheffield United who included John Egan and Enda Stevens in their starting eleven while Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane was a 90th minute substitute at the City Ground. Jack Taylor and Sam Szmodics completed  the full ninety minutes for Peterborough United who played out a one all draw with visitors Huddersfield Town. West Ham United loanee Conor Coventry was unused on the Peterborough United substitute bench. 

Charlton Athletic played out a one all League One draw with visitors  Rotherham United at The Valley for whom Chiedoze Ogbene was a 59th minute substitute with Joshua Kayode unused on the substitute bench. Fleetwood Town played host to Wigan Athletic who included James McClean and Will Keane in their starting eleven with Keane finding the net in their three two victory. Portsmouth named Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu, Ronan Curtis and Marcus Harness in their starting eleven for the Fratton Park visit of Cheltenham Town which ended in a one all draw.  Hillsborough hosted the meeting of former giants Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland which saw the hosts secure a four one victory.  Dennis Cirkin was in the visitors starting eleven. Wycombe Wanderers introduced Daryl Horgan from their substitute bench on 76 minutes of their four one defeat by visitors Ipswich Town.

Monday
Molineaux hosted the Premier League  meeting of  Wolverhampton Wanderers and  Everton which went the way of the hosts by two goals to one on Monday evening with Seamus Coleman in action for the visitors.

Zachery Elbouzedi was in Swedish Allsvenskan action with AIK Solna who went down to a one nil defeat at Halmstads BK this Monday evening.

The four outstanding Airtricity League Premier Division fixtures postponed during the international break take place this week. On Monday evening Finn Harps played out a scoreless draw with Drogheda United in Finn Park while Richmond Park saw the FAI Cup Final rehearsal between St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemian end in a two all draw after the hosts had taken a two goal lead. Sligo Rovers collected an undeserved three points with the only goal in the first minute of added time to defeat their visitors  Longford Town.

The fixture between Waterford  and Derry City took place on Tuesday evening in the RSC where the visitors scored in the second minute of added time to secure a point from a two all draw.

The brought forward ‘Louth Derby’ between Drogheda United and Dundalk took place in Head in the Game Park on Thursday evening and saw the visiting ‘Lilywhites’ score the only goal in the closing stages to leapfrog their opponents and ease their fears of involvement in the relegation play-off battle.

                            P  W  D  L   F  A   G/D  Pts
Shamrock Rovers(Champions) 33 22  6  5  53 23   30   72
St Patrick’s Athletic      33 18  6  9  54 37   17   60
Sligo Rovers               33 15  8 10  39 29   10   53
Derry City                 33 12 11 10  44 40    4   47
Bohemian                   33 12  9 12  54 43   11   45
Dundalk                    34 12  9 13  41 44   -3   45
Drogheda United            34 12  8 14  43 39    4   44
Waterford                  33 12  4 17  33 51  -18   40
Finn Harps                 33 10  9 14  36 49  -13   39
Longford Town(R)           33  2  8 23  21 63  -42   14

The first legs in the Play-Off Semi-Finals will take place at 7.45pm on Wednesday the 3rd November with Bray Wanderers taking on Galway United in the Carlisle Grounds while Treaty United play host to UCD in the Markets Field. The second legs are scheduled for Sunday the 7th November at 5pm. The winners will contest the First Division Play-Off Final on the 19th November with the victors facing the side finishing 9th in the Premier Division in the Promotion/Relegation Final one week later.